Based on warnings issued by Canada and the United States, travellers may have reconsidered visiting Mexico in the past few years.
In particular, one of Mexico's most popular destinations for Western Canadian travellers experienced scrutiny following violence in January 2023. Security forces captured Ovidio "The Mouse" Guzman — an alleged drug trafficker and the son of former cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman — in Mazatlán and two planes were hit with gunfire.
Canada and the U.S. promptly issued travel advisories following the violence, urging travellers to avoid travel to Sinaloa state. However, the Canadian government excluded Mazatlan from the warning, confusing some travellers since the clash erupted in the resort city.
The U.S. Department of State continued advising travellers to "avoid all travel" to Sinaloa - and several other Mexican states - but does not exclude Maztalán from this warning.
The U.S. government warns travellers of "widespread" violent crime in Sinaloa and instructs its employees to travel to Mazatlán by air and sea only. It also restricts their movement in the city to the Zona Dorada (the beach-side resort area) and historic town centre.
Canada updates travel advisory for Mazatlan
Canada updated its Sinaloa travel advice again in late October 2024, warning of emerging violence in Culiacán, Mazatlán and surrounding areas between rival armed groups.
The updated advisory states that "armed groups have stopped vehicles on the highway from Culiácan to Mazatlán and other major roads" and anyone in these cities should "exercise extreme caution."
Now, the Canadian government only excludes Los Mochis from its Sinaloa travel advisory. Los Mochis is nearly a five-hour drive north of Mazatlán.
Is it safe to travel to Mazatlan?
Travellers who want to stay safe should stick to resort areas and the historic city centre to feel the most secure.
Julio Birrueta, a member of Maztalán's Marketing Committee told V.I.A. that the city is a "main and important tourist destination" and the state focuses on maintaining its safety and security.
"It's very important for the state and its handling is different than any other areas," he explained. "The way the local and state police coordinate the safety of the city [is unique]."
Birrueta adds that over 10,000 Canadians and American expats reside in Mazatlán permanently, considering it a safe, long-term option for retirement or a new (sunny) place to call home.
Tourists arriving on cruise ships for a day will walk from the port into the city by following a path marked out to the historic downtown area and do not encounter issues.
Of course, tourists visiting any foreign destination should take several safety precautions. Given the recent violence in Sinaloa, they may also spend most of their holiday in Mazatlan. Thankfully, the ocean-side city has some of the best attractions in the country, so they won't run out of things to do.
What are some tips for staying safe?
As with many destinations, the Canadian government advises not showing signs of affluence (flashy jewellery, designer bags, etc) and remaining vigilant. Travellers should also stick to tourist areas and not travel to second locations with strangers.
Passports and other important documents should be kept in a secure place at all times.
Travellers should always check the latest government advisory before booking a ticket from Vancouver to Mexico. They should also purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy when they book their ticket, which will cover the cost of your ticket in case you can't leave due to an unforeseeable medical or other emergency reason. It will also cover incidents such as missed connections, baggage interruption and loss, and more.
Canadians should always register trips they take online before they leave so that the government can contact them in an emergency.
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